By Afiur
March 18, 2026
The Election Commission of India announced Assembly election dates for Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry, outlining single and multi-phase voting schedules.
Assam, Kerala and Puducherry will vote in a single phase on April 9, as part of the schedule announced for Assembly elections across four states and one Union Territory.
West Bengal will vote in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with polling spread across its Assembly constituencies as part of the Election Commission’s announced timetable.
Tamil Nadu will hold voting for all Assembly constituencies on April 23, with the state going to the polls in a single phase under the schedule released by the Election Commission.
Counting of votes for all 824 Assembly seats across Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry will take place on May 4, the Election Commission said.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar announced the poll dates at a press conference, accompanied by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.
The Election Commission said polls must remain free from violence and inducements, warning that strict action will be taken against any violations during the election process.
The Model Code of Conduct has come into immediate effect following the announcement of the election schedule, regulating political conduct until the polls conclude.
Tamil Nadu has 234 Assembly seats. The state has been led by DMK chief M K Stalin as chief minister since May 7, 2021.
West Bengal has 294 seats with Mamata Banerjee in power since 2011, Kerala has 140 seats under CM Pinarayi Vijayan since 2016, and Assam has 126 seats.
Puducherry has a 33-member Assembly, including three nominated by the Centre. Chief Minister N Rangasamy has been in office since 2021.